Research Background

Research & Regulatory Context

General background on how extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is studied and regulated as a technology category — not a claim about the performance of any specific OrthoWave product.

A Well-Studied Category

Acoustic wave technology has been studied in published research for several decades, including work on how it interacts with musculoskeletal tissue. This body of research spans many different devices, manufacturers, and study designs.

Why Device Specifics Matter

Published results in this field are tied to the specific device, energy settings, and protocol used in each study. Findings about one manufacturer's equipment do not automatically apply to another's, even within the same general technology category.

How These Devices Are Regulated

In the U.S., shockwave devices are regulated by the FDA. Manufacturers may only make claims consistent with what their specific device has been cleared or approved to do — which is why you won't find performance claims for OrthoWave's own devices on this page.

Reviewing the Research Yourself

Providers interested in the underlying literature on ESWT can search independent databases directly, such as:

  • PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
  • Cochrane Library systematic reviews
  • FDA device clearance and approval databases
We encourage providers to evaluate the primary literature directly rather than relying on summarized statistics from any manufacturer, including OrthoWave.

Disclaimer: This section provides general background on shockwave/acoustic wave technology as a research area and regulatory category. It does not describe the indications, clinical performance, or clearance status of any specific OrthoWave product. For information about a specific device, contact the manufacturer directly.

OrthoWave DualSync technology overview

The Research Behind Acoustic Wave Technology

Technology Background

ESWT: A Widely Studied Technology Category

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a technology category that has been studied and used worldwide across multiple musculoskeletal applications, by many different manufacturers.

The figures below describe the ESWT field industry-wide — they are not specific to OrthoWave's devices.
25+
Years Since ESWT Was First Introduced
1,000+
Peer-Reviewed Publications on ESWT (All Manufacturers)
Millions
ESWT Treatments Performed Worldwide (All Manufacturers)
Multi-Specialty
Practice Areas Where ESWT Is Commonly Used

These statistics describe extracorporeal shockwave therapy as a technology category across the industry. They are not a claim about the performance, adoption, or clinical evidence specific to any OrthoWave product.

Independent Research

Review the Published Literature

Explore peer-reviewed publications and studies related to extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) directly through independent, external research databases.

View Research on Google Scholar View Research on ResearchGate

External publications describe extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) generally and are not specific to any OrthoWave product. Clinical outcomes vary by diagnosis, chronicity, protocol, and individual patient factors.